While at Type-A Mom this weekend, one big subject that came up time and again was blog monetization. Plenty of attention was given to the subject, and while advertising and marketing gigs were discussed, paid blogging never seemed to come up, except in passing — and even then, it was only touched on in terms of temporary gigs with companies and PR reps. I talked about paid blogging as an actual long-term money making opportunity to several bloggers, but I also wanted to blog about it, in order to go into more detail and include actual links.
As a “disclaimer”, allow me to state that I have been doing paid blogging for almost four years. Paid blogging has filled my gas tank, bought groceries, covered a U-Haul rental, paid for my dog (Leah, my two year old Pug who is most likely sulking at home since I am not there with her), bought presents for Christmases and birthdays, paid a few bills, and covered the fun things that we do from time to time. Also, while I’ve filed this post under Paid Blogging, it is not a paid-for/sponsored post. I am recommending these companies based on my own experience with them. Finally, unless stated otherwise, payout is done via PayPal.
* Denotes paid blogging companies that I have not worked for in a while, and/or do not work for regularly
Blogitive
When I last used Blogitive, opportunities were assigned 3-5 at a time, and you had a week to complete the assignments. Each assignment paid $5 – 10 and generally only required 1 link. Payout was done 30ish days after a post was approved. *
Blogsvertise
Blogsvertise assigns you opportunities as they come along. They generally pay $8 – $15, and the requirements are concise — 200+ words (specified by the advertisers), 2-4 links (specified by the advertisers), specific topics to write about. There are “grab bag” opportunities, which are extra opps that you can take at any time. Payout is done 30ish days after a post is approved.
Buy Blog Reviews
Buy Blog Reviews allows you to search through a database of available assignments, and apply/request assignments that you’re interested in. Opps pay anywhere from $1 (no lie) to $100, depending on the criteria and the blog qualifications. Payout is done on the 1st and 15th of every month.
PayPerPost
PayPerPost paved the way in the paid blogging industry, and is managed by IZEA, which is the parent company of PayPerPost and several other related marketing companies. PayPerPost has evolved drastically over the last several years. In its current state, opportunities are assigned to you (it used to be that you had a list of assignments to choose from). Requirements vary among individual opps, but generally ask for 200-300 words of relevant content, 1-3 links, and sometimes an image. Compensation is based on the criteria and the blog qualifications, and also on the ranking/stats of your blog. Compensation is currently done via “points”, which each point being worth a penny. Once you have reached 5,000 points, or $50.00, you can do an automated cash-out (compensation for completed and approved posts is done after 30 days).
PayU2Blog
PayU2Blog works a little differently than other paid blogging companies, in that their opportunities always pay the same, unless it is a special assignment, and the criteria for an opportunity is that you insert a pre-determined link (with anchor text) into a post. Posts must be at least 60 words in length and can contain other links (so long as they do not lead to websites that compete with or put down the nature of the link you’re including), but other than that there are generally no specific post requirements. Every assignment is worth $5, and payout is done bi-weekly, usually on Fridays.
Smorty
Smorty has a list of available assignments that range from $5 to $25, depending on the criteria and blog qualifications. Opportunities generally require relevant, on-topic content, and 1-3 links, and sometimes an image. Payout is generally done every month. *
SocialSpark
SocialSpark is also owned by IZEA. It is currently going through some changes — SocialSpark 2.0 Beta uses the points system, similar to how PayPerPost in its current form operates — but currently allows you to browse through lists of available opportunities. Opportunities are not always readily available; you may need to request an assignment by sending a message directly to the advertiser. In other cases, you may be notified via email that you qualify for an opportunity. Opportunities pay $5 to $25+ apiece, and generally require 200 words, 1-2 links, and sometimes an image or an embedded video (opps that require embedded videos usually pay more). You can do an automated cash-out once your account balance reaches $50 (compensation for completed and approved posts is done after 30 days).
Sponsored Reviews
Sponsored Reviews operates similarly to Buy Blog Reviews. In addition to sponsored posts, Sponsored Reviews also allows you to participate in other marketing campaigns, including paid keywords, paid posts, paid links, etc. *
What about the Federal Trade Commission? How do you blog about products with having to follow the guidelines of FTC?
I signed up for the sponsoredreviews lets hope I can get some extra cash with it. I’d love to end up doing blogging full time. I love writing.
Thanks for the list, I am with most of them but some I hadn’t heard of
thanks for the list jenn! i tend to use you as a guide for this stuff since i started :p
Thanks for the list!
Have you had any weirdness with Blogvertise? I signed up with them yesterday, and the e-mail I got for a post asks me not to mention that it is a sponsored post. Seems kinda sketchy?
When I receive that kind of request with a sponsored post, I take it to mean that the advertiser doesn’t want me to do a per-post disclosure. In that case, I fall back on my site-wide disclosure (I have a disclosure policy linked at the bottom of my blog). I also put ALL sponsored posts, whether an advertiser wants me to or not, in the “Commercial Break” category. I’ll respect their desire to not do an in-post disclosure, but I’m still going to disclose site-wide and let my readers know, you know?
If for some reason the advertiser gives you a hard time, just contact Blogsvertise — they’re a pretty small company from what I’ve gathered, but they’re good about communication and following up with advertisers should an issue arise.
I know that this comment is coming WAY later than the post was written, but I’m hoping you can help me out. I know that p2b doesn’t want us working with certain companies. I’m interested in starting up with blogsvertse and blogitive, but I don’t want to get in trouble with PU2B. Are there conflicts there?
Louise’s last blog entry: We’re having a snowstorm!
The only company that I’m aware of P2B having an issue with is IZEA and their sub-companies – such as PPP.
Thanks!
Louise’s last blog entry: We’re having a snowstorm!